Letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner - Appoint House Conferees Without Further Delay

Letter

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer, Assistant Democratic Leader James E. Clyburn, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra, and House Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman Joe Crowley today sent a letter to Speaker of the House John Boehner calling on the Speaker to appoint House conferees without further delay and follow regular order to reach an agreement on a budget focused on jobs, economic growth, balanced deficit reduction, and a strong, thriving middle class.

As the House Democratic leadership said in their letter, "Republican leaders have repeatedly chastised the Senate for failing to approve a budget; now, the Senate has done its part. Republican leaders have called for regular order, demanding we allow Congress to work its will; Democratic leaders agree."

The leaders went on to state that: "Again, our House Republican colleagues have said they want regular order and Democrats do too. Regular order is to name conferees and convene a conference committee now. That is how we can return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement focused on jobs, economic growth, balanced deficit reduction, and a strong, thriving middle class."

Below is the full text of the letter:

April 18, 2013

The Honorable John BoehnerSpeakerUnited States House of RepresentativesWashington, D.C. 20515

Dear Speaker Boehner:

Today, the American people are looking to their elected representatives to agree to a budget that's balanced and fair, that addresses our top priorities, and that reflects our nation's values.

House Democrats put forward a plan to create jobs, grow the economy, strengthen the middle class, and responsibly reduce the deficit. The Senate passed a budget to meet those same goals.

Republican leaders have repeatedly chastised the Senate for failing to approve a budget; now, the Senate has done its part. Republican leaders have called for regular order, demanding we allow Congress to work its will; Democratic leaders agree. Different budgets have secured majorities in each chamber. The President has provided his blueprint for the coming fiscal year. The next step to reaching a budget agreement is obvious: you must appoint House conferees without further delay.

There is no time to waste. Sequestration is already taking its toll on our investments in our national security, research, health, and economic growth. Congress has already missed the April 15th deadline to deliver a conference report on the budget.

We cannot afford to wait, as some Republicans have suggested, for a "framework agreement" before we begin talks. That is simply a recipe for further backroom negotiations, conducted behind closed doors, without the input of Members of Congress and out of view of our constituents. We must engage in a full, open, transparent process to produce a solution that best serves the interests and demands of the American people.

Again, our House Republican colleagues have said they want regular order and Democrats do too. Regular order is to name conferees and convene a conference committee now. That is how we can return to the negotiating table and reach an agreement focused on jobs, economic growth, balanced deficit reduction, and a strong, thriving middle class.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, which is urgent to the American people. We look forward to your response.